Neural Mechanisms of Aerobic Exercise Benefits in PD With DBS

Conditions

• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Parkinson's Disease

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• Exercise — BEHAVIORAL
  Participants will complete an eight-week control period followed by an eight-week cycling program. They will complete 3 sessions per week in-person with a member of the study team, for a total of 24 exercise sessions.

Study Details

This study is focused on people with Parkinson's disease who already have deep brain stimulation devices. The goal is to understand how aerobic exercise, specifically forced vs voluntary cycling, affects movement, thinking, and brain activity in these individuals. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that impacts both movement and cognitive function. Previous research suggests aerobic exercise can improve PD symptoms, but the mechanisms underlying the improvement are not fully understood. This study aims to evaluate the neural (brain) mechanisms underlying exercise.

Key Dates

First listed

Mar 2, 2026

Start date

Jul 8, 2026

Status verified

Jul 2026

Primary completion

Dec 31, 2029

Completion

Dec 31, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment

36 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Experimental: Forced Exercise (FE)
  Participants in the forced exercise group will complete an eight-week control period where they will be asked to maintain their usual activities and wear an activity monitoring device. This will be followed by an eight-week cycling program using a stationary bike equipped with a motor that assists pedaling. The motor helps maintain a cadence higher than the participant's voluntary pace, typically around 80-90 revolutions per minute, while the participant continues to actively pedal. Each session lasts about 40 minutes and occurs three times per week under supervision of an exercise professional. Heart rate will be monitored to ensure safety and maintain aerobic intensity. The goal is to provide consistent, high-rate cycling that participants likely could not achieve on their own.
• Experimental: Voluntary Exercise (VE)
  Participants in the voluntary exercise group will complete an eight-week control period where they will be asked to maintain their usual activities and wear an activity monitoring device. This will be followed by an eight-week cycling program on a standard stationary bike. They will cycle at a self-selected pace while maintaining a target heart rate to ensure aerobic intensity. Each session lasts about 40 minutes and occurs three times per week under supervision of an exercise professional. Heart rate will be monitored for safety and consistency.

Primary Outcome Measure

Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (Motor Examination) [ Time Frame: Baseline to EOT and Baseline to EOT+4 weeks ]

Central Contacts

• MacKenzie Dunlap
  216-219-3949
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

Find similar trials in Cleveland, OH

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